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A new book by Rizzoli delves into the history of visionary Laurence Graff.

BySasha Levine on October 01, 2015

Before Laurence Graff traded in gleaming diamonds and gemstones, he dealt in comic books. Growing up the grandson of a kosher butcher and the son of a sweetshop owner in London’s East End, a 15-year-old Graff scrubbed floors of diamond district shops before he even touched a stone. But by age of 22, largely self-taught and driven by chutzpah and confidence alone, he launched the eponymous gem house that would become one of the world’s premiere brands.

This month, a new book by luxury publisher Rizzoli shifts the spotlight from the cuts created by the King of Diamonds to the story behind the name engraved on each design. The 137-page tome features writing by the likes of Suzy Menkes, Vivienne Becker, and Nicholas Foulkes, among others, alongside archival photos and decades of advertisements—connecting one visionary imagination with the artistry and craftsmanship that define a world-famous brand.

Graff is available at Rizzoli and Graff stores as well as online for $95. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to FACET, Graff’s charitable foundation that supports the education, health, and well-being of the people of sub-Saharan Africa.